Q. Hi, I would be very grateful if you could advise me. I am 47 years old. Two weeks ago I had the braces removed from my teeth after wearing them for 15 months. I had overcrowding on my bottom teeth and I felt that my teeth protruded on my top teeth. That was my reason for seeking treatment. One of the first things I noticed was that very soon after having the brace fitted my teeth became quite discoloured, yellowish in appearance. I consoled myself that I could have them whitened when the brace came off but was still worried. I told the orthodontist my concerns and he said that he had noted that my teeth were quite yellowish before he put the brace on but I am sure that the colour changed almost straight away. In particular around the gums about a third of the way up my teeth was quite yellow which I had not noticed before. I decided to wait until the brace came off to see if I could get them whitened. Two weeks ago the brace was removed and the bonded retainer applied straight away. He then cleaned my teeth very rigiously for quite some time. When I looked in the mirror in the surgery I was dismayed at the colour. Very yellow and matte without shine. He cleaned my teeth again with pumice and water spray. They looked better but without shine or vitality. Even now two weeks later the shine has not come back properly and the colour is not right. Also to my horror there were little holes at the top of my teeth where they meet the gums. The holes are each side of the tooth next to my two front teeth on each side of my mouth. Altogether I can see three holes on my top row of teeth. This is also evident on my bottom teeth but not so noticeable. The orthodontist didn’t mention this to me or let me know it had already happened. I cant remember seeing them in my mouth when the brace was in either. At the beginning of my treatment I remember him telling me that this can occur but he can correct it by shaving the sides of the teeth to make them closer together. I am so upset. I paid nearly £4500 for my treatment and didn’t expect them to look like this. I think the holes really age me and I am conscious of smiling broadly. This is a lot of money for me. I couldn’t say how disappointed I was to the orthodontist at the time when he first removed the brace as I was so shocked and I didn’t want to come over as criticizing his work. A few days ago I went back to the orthodontist to have an impression made of my mouth just in case the bonded retainer comes out (I think that was the reason for the impression). I mentioned my worry to the orthodontist about the holes but he only said that they may close on their own but unlikely. I am so disappointed. Surely he could have closed the holes during the treatment. I paid nearly £4500 and didn’t expect this to happen. Is it too late for me now. Kind regards

A. I’m afraid this is not my field as i am not an orthodontist.
I recommend you go for a second opinon with an orthodontist and discuss your concerns with them. They can give you a full mouth assessment and advise you from there.

Kind regards
Dr Justin Glaister

Dr Justin Glaister
Umbrella
www.umbrellasmiles.com
Tel: 020 7612 9810
11 Harley Street
London W1G 9PF